Shanios is an Arch-based Linux distribution with a read-only system root and a Btrfs-based update design that keeps two bootable system copies. Updates are prepared on the inactive copy, which leaves the previous copy available as a rollback option. Personal files, configuration, and applications are kept in writable areas outside the system image.
This changes how you install software and manage the operating system: user applications and settings remain manageable, but ordinary package changes to the active system root are not the intended workflow. Shanios’s stated minimum hardware is 64-bit x86 with UEFI, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of storage; ARM devices are listed as unsupported.
What is Shanios?
Shanios is a Linux distribution built on Arch Linux and Btrfs. Its central design choice is an immutable, read-only system root while the OS is running. Rather than changing that root in place, Shanios prepares updates on a second system copy and switches to it at reboot. The previous copy remains available for rollback.
The project separates the OS image from writable areas used for personal data, configuration, and applications. “Immutable” therefore describes the system root, not a prohibition on saving files, changing user settings, or installing applications through supported routes.
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Shanios documents SHA256 checksum and GPG signature verification before an image is deployed, and says deployment stops if verification fails. Those are project-described safeguards, not independently audited test results. Its overview states that the OS core is permanently read-only; that is the project’s description of its design, not proof that a running computer cannot be compromised.
How the update and rollback model works
Shanios uses a blue-green deployment model. One system copy runs while the other is prepared for an update. After reboot, the updated copy is selected; the earlier copy remains available as a fallback if the new one causes problems.
- Prepare an update: Shanios writes the update to the inactive system copy rather than modifying the active root in place.
- Reboot into the updated copy: The new copy becomes the selected system after restart.
- Use the previous copy for recovery if needed: The older bootable copy provides a rollback path. Consult the current project instructions for the exact recovery steps for your release.
This design can make an unsuccessful system update easier to recover from, but it is not a substitute for backups. Files stored in writable data areas and problems with applications or hardware are separate from rolling back the OS image.
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How software installation differs
The active system root is read-only, so the familiar approach of installing arbitrary packages directly into the base OS is not Shanios’s intended workflow. The project documents separate routes and commands for OS updates, Flatpak applications, Snap packages, Nix packages, containers, and firmware.
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- Applications: Flatpak is identified in the documentation as an application installation route.
- Other package and workload types: Shanios lists Snap, Nix, and containers as distinct workflows rather than changes to the immutable system root.
- System and firmware maintenance: OS updates and firmware have their own documented commands.
- User configuration and files: Writable configuration and home areas remain available for normal use.
Before switching, check whether the software you rely on is available through a supported route and whether its configuration or system integration expects to write into the base OS. This distinction matters most for users accustomed to managing every system component with a mutable distribution’s package manager.
Hardware and installation requirements
Shanios’s FAQ gives these requirements. The listed numbers are project documentation, not results from independent hardware testing.
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| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor/platform | 64-bit x86 | Not stated by Shanios |
| Firmware | UEFI | Not stated by Shanios |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Storage | 32 GB | 64 GB |
The FAQ says ARM devices, including Apple Silicon and Raspberry Pi, are unsupported. Shanios reports support for Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA graphics, but that broad statement does not establish compatibility for every device, peripheral, or graphics configuration. Check the current installation guidance against your specific hardware.
The getting-started guide specifies an 8 GB USB drive for installation media. It does not specify a brand, model, or speed.
Secure Boot and installation
Shanios says Secure Boot can remain enabled. Its FAQ describes an installer flow that enrolls the project’s Machine Owner Key and includes a confirmation step. Firmware menus and enrollment screens vary by machine, so use the current installation guide and follow the instructions for your device rather than assuming every setup looks identical.
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Available editions and profiles
The project overview lists GNOME and KDE Plasma editions, plus Kiosk and Server profiles. Kiosk is intended for single-purpose deployments; Server is described as headless. The introduction describes COSMIC as announced and in development, so do not assume it is a generally available stable download. Release and edition availability can change; check the current download page before choosing an image.
The overview labels 2026.05.18 as the current stable release on the page published in 2026. It lists approximate ISO sizes of 5.4 GB for GNOME, 7.6 GB for KDE Plasma, 5.2 GB for COSMIC, 4.8 GB for Kiosk, and 3.5 GB for Server. These are time-sensitive figures from Shanios documentation, not guarantees about current downloads; verify the selected image’s current size and status on the project site.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Security and privacy claims
Shanios documents a read-only root, Secure Boot support, optional LUKS2 full-disk encryption, TPM2 auto-unlock, several Linux Security Modules, and a firewall. These features may be relevant when choosing an operating system, but their presence does not eliminate security risk or establish that a particular installation is configured securely.
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The project says it collects no telemetry or crash reports and notes that its update tool connects to download servers. These are Shanios’s privacy statements; network traffic and project code were not independently audited for this article.
Cost and support
Shanios describes itself as free and open source, with no account requirement, subscription, or paid tier. Its FAQ points users to GitHub issues for bug reports and a Telegram community for questions. The project also accepts enterprise or OEM enquiries, but the documentation does not establish a formal support response time or a paid support plan.
Who should consider Shanios?
Shanios may suit Linux users who want an Arch-based system with an image-oriented update process and a retained rollback option, and who are comfortable installing applications through documented routes rather than routinely modifying the base OS.
It may be a poor fit if your computer is ARM-based, uses legacy/CSM boot, falls below the stated requirements, or depends on software that requires unrestricted changes to the system root. If you are comparing it with another distribution, focus on the differences that affect daily use: mutable versus read-only root, update and rollback behavior, software installation workflow, hardware requirements, and which editions are actually available.
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Does Shanios work on my hardware?
According to Shanios’s FAQ, it requires 64-bit x86 hardware with UEFI, with 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage as minimums. ARM devices such as Apple Silicon and Raspberry Pi are listed as unsupported. The project reports Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA graphics support, but you should check your particular device and peripherals against its current installation guidance.
Do I need to disable Secure Boot to install Shanios?
Shanios says Secure Boot can remain enabled. Its FAQ describes an installer step for enrolling the project’s Machine Owner Key, with confirmation. Follow the current device-specific installation instructions because firmware flows vary.
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